Moving Hacks to Make Your Life Easier

Often thought of as one of the more chaotic events in our lives, moving can put unbelievable amounts of stress on us. Whether you’re moving your large family across the country, or your small family across town, moving isn’t easy or effortless for anyone. There are loose ends to tie up, numbers to change, keys to drop off, papers to sign, movers to call, and then comes packing.

Packing can and often does overwhelm us, especially if we have children. There is so much to think about and depending on how much time and energy we have to invest in packing, it can be something that is hastily and sloppily done if we’re not careful. Lucky for you though, we’ve thought of some of the best ways to pack smart. Though this is often the norm, it is enormously inconvenient once we finally get into our new homes, to find our belongings broken, unorganized, or completely MIA because we can’t remember which boxes contain what. In this blog, we’ll discuss some of the smartest packing and moving hacks that are sure to simplify your big move.

Have Enough Supplies

When we’re moving, whether we have huge amounts of items to move or not, we often underestimate the amount of time, money, and boxes it takes to pull it all off. The sheer number of boxes required is about enough to induce madness in a normally sane person. It’s normal to aim low when it comes to boxes, tape, and other packing supplies. A good rule of thumb is to get acquire enough boxes so that you have at least ten left when you’re “pretty much done.” That way, you’ll be able to have a way to pack all of the random stragglers that you just don’t know what to do with.

Get The Right Boxes

This might not seem like a very important tip, however, if you’ve ever made a mover lift an extra large box full of books, then this tip is right up your alley. Think about what you’re needing to pack before you blindly purchase boxes. For example, if you have a lot of books, get small and medium-sized boxes to pack them in. If you’re trying to find a good way to pack your large flat screen T.V, there are boxes that are specifically made for items like that. If you have a lot of clothes, take advantage of wardrobe boxes and store things like pillows or blankets in the bottom. These wardrobe boxes are great, but they’re not ideal for heavy things, so keep that in mind.

Keep A Master List

We feel that this is the theme of so many moves: you pack in a late-night frenzy to make sure that you’re done before the movers get there in the morning, (because that’s an absolute must), and now, three weeks later, you can’t find anything. Keeping a master list will take more forethought on the front end, but we promise that you will not regret it. Simply keep a numbered list of your boxes and a summary of each box’s contents while making sure that you’re numbering all your boxes accordingly. That way, you’ll never have to question what is contained in each unlabeled, mystery box. We assure you, this hack will make you feel like the Evil Knievel of moving.

Color Coordinate

Let’s say that you’re unable to wrap your exhausted mind around the idea of numbering your boxes and keeping a corresponding list. We understand, you’ve been through a lot. A great compliment or substitute to the number system is incorporating the color-coding system. This will make your movers adore you. If you have a specific color for boxes going to the kitchen, the bedroom, the bathroom, garage, etc, there will be no confusion about what boxes are going where. To achieve this, you can either pick up a few colorful labels or if you’re wanting to take this color system seriously, pick up boxes of different shades. Again, this can work magic when it’s alongside the number system or used instead, it’s simply whatever it easiest for you.

Start Early

When you’re moving, there are few things that are more stressful than having to throw all of your stuff together last-minute. For this reason, it’s wisest to get a head start on your move. If you can start packing even as much as a month early, you will thank yourself later. We suggest starting with rooms or items that don’t get regular or daily use. This way, your house will become packed up gradually and the stress you’ll feel on the days leading up to moving day will be largely reduced. Additionally, as we mentioned above, make sure that you’re not still packing when the movers get there. This will avoid any awkwardness or extra stress on your end.

Pack Smart

Ok, we know, this is a huge and general category, so listen up because we’re going to go fast:

Pack items of value carefully

Cushion breakables with towels or clothing to pack both at once

Don’t have any boxes that aren’t sealed and secure

Cut handles in boxes that don’t have them to ease moving process

Pack plates and breakable platters vertically to help avoid breaking

Pack books or other heavy items in rolling suitcases

Combine and consolidate liquids and cleaning products

Cover openings of toiletries and other liquids with saran wrap under lid to avoid spills

Vacuum seal bags of clothing

Keep a few small plastic baggies to hold things like bolts and keys

Moving is surely a bigger life event but it doesn’t have to be the thing that causes us to lose our minds. Thankfully, there are ways to make your move easier, even dare I say it, stress-free? Plan your move accordingly and think it through, and hey, don’t be a hero. If you’re facing fast deadlines and you don’t think you can physically or mentally pull off a move of this magnitude, hire a packing service! This will surely take the stress out of packing.

In fact, the right company will pack your belongings with care, and then professionally move you to your new location. J&J Metro Moving and Storage would love to help you with your move! We do residential moving, commercial moving, packing, and storage. Contact us today for a free estimate!

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They were great! From short notice they were able to accommodate my needs. Friendly staff and good prices. I really appreciate everything they did.

Rob C

18:17 20 Dec 18

I highly recommend J & J Metro. My wife and I did a partial move to a new home in Bradenton. The guys, Mark, Willie, Suave and Joe were great. They arrived on time and got right on task. They got things done quickly and right. We'll definitely use this company again. Great job!!

Stacey Miller

21:46 27 Nov 18

Great experience! I would highly recommend this moving company! Movers were courteous and respectful and worked extremely hard the whole time they were there!

Jennifer Hodil

17:45 23 Nov 18

Wonderful experience! They were early and courteous. They took great care of our piano and they completed the job in a timely manner! I would definitely use them again!

Andrew Cunningham

16:01 09 Nov 18

We had a superior experience with the three gentlemen who came to move our piano. They were happy, upbeat and pleasant to be around. They made piano moving look easy!

Mark Trommsdorff

15:48 13 Aug 18

Jason, your team was amazing. Even though it was a "simple" relocation of large safe with a minimum of steps or turns on both ends, your team took care of my safe from house to house as if it was precious cargo, and showed the same care for the walls etc. They scoped out the move and strategy, carefully blanket and shrink wrapped the safe, and put it precisely where it needed to be. They were polite, professional and quick. The response of your office staff was amazing as well. They called in less than 30 minutes after my email inquiry and we quickly set up a date and time and agreed on price. Everything went exactly according to plan

Jane Siems

20:06 26 Jul 18

J&J Metro was very easy to work with. All of the office staff were helpful with arranging the services we needed. We had furniture delivered on 2 different occasions and the delivery people were extremely careful with each piece. Everything arrived in perfect condition.

Douglas Craddock

20:49 28 Jun 18

Everyone at J&J was great from the schedulers/estimators and the movers. All were very Professional, helpful and friendly. Actual cost was less than estimate. I would highly recommend J&J for your next move.

Leslie Fitzpatrick

23:10 28 Mar 18

William and Trevor were great and very compassionate in a difficult move of 91 year old father and my mother who has Alzheimers. They were courteous and thoughtful and I would hire them again!!

John Daniele

14:31 26 Feb 18

The two movers were excellent. Very professional, helpful and friendly. I would recommend J&J to anyone needing moving services.

Rachel Marion

19:20 05 Feb 18

Movers we're quick and helpful. We had a large aquarium and they did a great job of moving it and helping is get it set up in our new apartment. The whole process only took 4 hours including drive time. We were very pleased with the service and the price!

Craig Scurlock

22:39 24 Jan 18

Great Company. Not the cheapest movers but you get what you pay for. They are professional and everything that was moved came back perfect after a year in storage with them. You won't need to worry about things being damaged with J&J. They did so well my wife used them too. Would highly recommend and use them again.

Great moving company that is owned and operated by the same family that has run it for over 40 years! They have helped me on many occasions and are prompt and have never damaged anything of mine. They are my go to whenever I have moved and they also offer storage in case you can't fit everything in your new location.
Our move this past weekend went perfect and the two employee's were on time and worked very hard to get the job done for us.

Harvey Alper

17:40 24 Oct 17

We have moved with J&J five times since 1975 (and one other time in the course of business). As has been true in the past, service this time was first rate, the crew worked exceptionally fast and hard -- and we have had another positive experience with J&J. The best indication of satisfaction is whether a customer would use a provider again. If we move again we will certainly use J&J.

sean larkin

16:49 30 Aug 17

I recently had to move a decent size safe from one home to another. The workers the workers J&J sent were professional, courteous, careful, and PREPARED. They easily manipulated an object that is difficult to move by DESIGN! They treated our home, belongings, and hard-wood flooring with care and expertise.

Great Company. Not the cheapest movers but you get what you pay for. They are professional and everything that was moved came back perfect after a year in storage with them. You won't need to worry about things being damaged with J&J. They did so well my wife used them too. Would highly recommend and use them again.

David Mole

21:09 30 Oct 17

Great moving company that is owned and operated by the same family that has run it for over 40 years! They have helped me on many occasions and are prompt and have never damaged anything of mine. They are my go to whenever I have moved and they also offer storage in case you can't fit everything in your new location.
Our move this past weekend went perfect and the two employee's were on time and worked very hard to get the job done for us.

I recently had to move a decent size safe from one home to another. The workers the workers J&J sent were professional, courteous, careful, and PREPARED. They easily manipulated an object that is difficult to move by DESIGN! They treated our home, belongings, and hard-wood flooring with care and expertise.

Harvey Alper

17:40 24 Oct 17

We have moved with J&J five times since 1975 (and one other time in the course of business). As has been true in the past, service this time was first rate, the crew worked exceptionally fast and hard -- and we have had another positive experience with J&J. The best indication of satisfaction is whether a customer would use a provider again. If we move again we will certainly use J&J.

Rachel Marion

19:20 05 Feb 18

Movers we're quick and helpful. We had a large aquarium and they did a great job of moving it and helping is get it set up in our new apartment. The whole process only took 4 hours including drive time. We were very pleased with the service and the price!

John Daniele

14:31 26 Feb 18

The two movers were excellent. Very professional, helpful and friendly. I would recommend J&J to anyone needing moving services.

Leslie Fitzpatrick

23:10 28 Mar 18

William and Trevor were great and very compassionate in a difficult move of 91 year old father and my mother who has Alzheimers. They were courteous and thoughtful and I would hire them again!!

Douglas Craddock

20:49 28 Jun 18

Everyone at J&J was great from the schedulers/estimators and the movers. All were very Professional, helpful and friendly. Actual cost was less than estimate. I would highly recommend J&J for your next move.

Jane Siems

20:06 26 Jul 18

J&J Metro was very easy to work with. All of the office staff were helpful with arranging the services we needed. We had furniture delivered on 2 different occasions and the delivery people were extremely careful with each piece. Everything arrived in perfect condition.

Mark Trommsdorff

15:48 13 Aug 18

Jason, your team was amazing. Even though it was a "simple" relocation of large safe with a minimum of steps or turns on both ends, your team took care of my safe from house to house as if it was precious cargo, and showed the same care for the walls etc. They scoped out the move and strategy, carefully blanket and shrink wrapped the safe, and put it precisely where it needed to be. They were polite, professional and quick. The response of your office staff was amazing as well. They called in less than 30 minutes after my email inquiry and we quickly set up a date and time and agreed on price. Everything went exactly according to plan

Andrew Cunningham

16:01 09 Nov 18

We had a superior experience with the three gentlemen who came to move our piano. They were happy, upbeat and pleasant to be around. They made piano moving look easy!

Jennifer Hodil

17:45 23 Nov 18

Wonderful experience! They were early and courteous. They took great care of our piano and they completed the job in a timely manner! I would definitely use them again!

Stacey Miller

21:46 27 Nov 18

Great experience! I would highly recommend this moving company! Movers were courteous and respectful and worked extremely hard the whole time they were there!

Rob C

18:17 20 Dec 18

I highly recommend J & J Metro. My wife and I did a partial move to a new home in Bradenton. The guys, Mark, Willie, Suave and Joe were great. They arrived on time and got right on task. They got things done quickly and right. We'll definitely use this company again. Great job!!

Brad Lohr

17:55 31 Dec 18

They were great! From short notice they were able to accommodate my needs. Friendly staff and good prices. I really appreciate everything they did.